St. Paul's Players Present "Once Upon A Christmastime"

Like it or not, the holidays are upon us, and Christmas-themed shows abound throughout the Midlands.  This past weekend, A Christmas Doll opened at Columbia Children's Theatre, while The Winter Wonderettes opened at Town Theatre.  (See the current issue of Jasper for details on these and many other shows.)  One show that may have slipped under your radar, however, is the new musical Once Upon A Christmastime, presented this coming weekend by the The St. Paul's Players, at St. Paul's Lutheran Church (corner of Bull and Blanding Streets downtown.) The Players are a ministry of the church, offering family-oriented productions for people to enjoy as participants and/or as audience members. You don’t have to be a church member to get involved, and volunteer opportunities include set building, costuming, makeup, hair, and of course acting.  Once Upon A Christmastime is a musical adaptation of Dickens' A Christmas Carol, written by Paula G. Benson, with music and lyrics by Paula Benson, Frank Fusco and John W. Henry (if you’ve gone to Workshop Theatre in the last 20 years, he’s probably given you your tickets.)

The performance on Friday Nov. 30th is at 6:00 PM, and includes dinner; menu choices include chicken (baked or fried) roast beef, ham, rice pilaf, vegetables, tossed salad, rolls, dessert and coffee, tea or water. call 779-0300 for reservations - the $16 ticket includes dinner and the show.Catering is provided by A & J Catering (the Clarion Hotel chef.)

There are also non-dinner shows at 7 PM on Sat. Dec. 1st, and at 3 PM on Sunday

Dec. 2nd. General admission tickets for these will be sold at the door, and are only $5.  There will be a pre-show performance of Christmas music 20 minutes prior to each performance, so plan on coming early to enjoy entertainment by Kiah Creed and Friends, featuring Laura and Kirk Adair with Terri Schumpert.

St. Paul's Players Present The Living Last Supper

Ever wonder what it might be like for Leonardo da Vinci's classic image of The Last Supper to come to life, just in time for Easter? Wonder no more, as the St. Paul's Players present The Living Last Supper at St. Paul's Lutheran Church, corner of Bull and Blanding Streets, starting this Tuesday, April 3rd, and running through Thurs. April 5th. Shows begin at 7 PM, admission is free, and seating is on a first-come basis.

Director Paula Benson and Producer John Henry (if you've gone to Workshop Theatre in the last 20 years, he's probably given you your tickets) helped revive the St. Paul's Players some six years ago after a 30-year hiatus, and have mounted a number of shows ranging from The Littlest Angel to Oliver!  The Players are a ministry of the church, offering family-oriented productions for people to enjoy as participants and/or as audience members. You don't have to be a church member to get involved, and volunteer opportunities include set building, costuming, makeup, hair, and of course acting.

The play runs approximately an hour and a half, and concludes with the chance to take communion.  Veteran local actor Scott Stepp plays Judas Iscariot, and St. Paul's Pastor Tony Metze plays Jesus.  You've seen Stepp in any number of shows, including Elephants' Graveyard (he played the town Sheriff) at Trustus a few years back, plus Annie Get Your Gun (as Frank Butler) and The Odd Couple (as Oscar) both at Town Theatre. Included in the performance is an original song, "World Without End," written by Paula Benson and Frank Fusco, performed by soloist Nancy Jane Stock, and  accompanied by Frank Fusco on guitar and Rachael Hebert on cello.

St. Paul's is located at 1715 Bull St., corner of Bull and Blanding. Call 803-779-0030 for more information.

-- A. Krickel